Meet Artist-in-Residence Daisy Patton

Tell us about your background.

I am a multi-disciplinary artist currently based in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Los Angeles, I received my BFA from the University of Oklahoma and my MFA from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston/Tufts University. My practice is focused in history and memory, which means lots of research, as well as social justice and family relationships.

How did you find out about the Anderson Ranch Arts Center?

Anderson Ranch has been a prominent residency that I’ve been familiar with since moving to Colorado over five years ago. I’ve had several amazing peers rave about being residents and what it’s done for their work, so being able to come here has been a priority since then.

What is your favorite part about the Anderson Ranch so far?

While I’ve done several residencies, I think what has been great about being at the Ranch thus far is how much work I’ve been able to get accomplished here. Paintings that normally take about a month I’ve been able to complete in a couple of weeks, along with other pieces! We live on-site and are provided dinners, so that really facilitates committed work time, which I absolutely need as I prepare for some big shows in 2018. It’s also wonderful that we have the option to work in other media by access to the other departments, as well as the varied group of residents from all over each session.

What inspires you to create art?

Art for me is a reflection of society and a language, albeit mostly visual, so I am influenced by current events, histories that have been deliberately erased or hidden, and interrogating dominant narratives. Lately, I’ve found that compassion, empathy, and a desire to aid in re-humanizing the de-humanized are all aspects that feed my practice. I certainly love painting and the materiality of the media I choose, but bodies of work tend to begin as concepts or things I’m reacting to as I read the news or other research.

How has your work evolved?

I went to my mom’s art history college classes, so I’ve had a background in art history since I was five years old! My main concentration was more traditional painting and drawing, but after a nasty bit of artist’s block during undergrad, I began working with photography as a medium. I’d say that brief interlude has greatly shifted how I approach work—for me, the complicated, sometimes thorny relationship between painting and photography is crucial. Having a background in painting has also given me the gumption to dive into new media with a little more confidence than perhaps is merited, since it’s just a matter of figuring out the medium from that particular lens. Finally, I regularly work with multiple series in a variety of media at any given moment, so if I’m stuck in one area, I can just shift into another. I’ve found that this certainly satiates my workaholic tendencies!

How can we find you on social media and the web?
Instagram: @daisy_patton
Website: http://daisypatton.com